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B-21 Top Recommendation
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A top rated, impeccably aged Sauternes that's now ready to enjoy, the luscious 95 pt. 2006 Chateau Guiraud Sauternes reveals fresh, opulent honeyed fruit expertly balanced by savory acidity on a long and luxurious finish, available in half bottles after nearly two decades of pristine cellaring and bargain priced for Bordeaux lovers to stock the cellar.
Named for Bordeaux negociant Pierre Guiraud who purchased the estate in 1766, the modern renaissance of Chateau Guiraud was fueled by the investments of businessman and owner Frank Narby in the 1980's, entirely renovating the chateau, installing a new winery and hiring long time estate manager and winemaker Xavier Planty to renovate the vineyards and lead the estate towards sustainable viticulture over the next decades. Sourced from 85 hectares just south of Chateau d'Yquem, the 2006 Guiraud is a blend of 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, the low yielding vines planted in a diverse mix of sand, gravel, red clay and limestone soils on sloping hillsides rising to 72 meters at the peak. Hand harvesting over four separate passes through the vineyard to select only optimally botrytized fruit, winemaker Xavier Planty fermented the grapes with indigenous yeasts over a period of three weeks to two months before aging the 2006 Chateau Guiraud in new French oak barrels for 18 months, yielding a rich and silky Sauternes described by Neal Martin of Vinous as having a "superb sense of weight and presence" and now living up to his prediction that it "should age beautifully."
Described by the Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss as boasting "a great fresh burst of acidity along with the sweetness," with the structure to continue its rich evolution, the irresistible 95 pt. 2006 Chateau Guiraud offers the deliciously decadent balance of sweet and savory that draws Sauternes lovers back for another taste, each half bottle featuring the estate's distinctive black and gold label and available in original wooden cases of 12 at an unbeatable value price. |
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Sweet, rich orange marmalade flavors, maybe not as imposingly powerful as Guiraud can be, but still with a great inner tension between sweetness and dry botrytis, precede a delicious addition of lemon zest and a final burst of sweetness balanced with acidity.
95 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (Mar 2009)
Tasted blind at Southwold ’06 Bordeaux tasting. This has a lovely, well-defined bouquet with honey, lemon curd, quince and a touch of white flowers. Very good lift and expression. The palate is medium-bodied, spicy entry, good level of botrytis will real depth. Marmalade, quince and spice, viscous, botrytis-rich finish. This should age beautifully. Tasted January 2010.
93 points, Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (Jul 2010)
Subtle, but with complex aromas of honey, spices, apple pie and lemon candy. Full-bodied and medium sweet, with intense botrytis and lemon peel character and bright acidity. Powerful and long. Best after 2012.
93 points, Wine Spectator (2009)
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